Already August?

I got super sad when I told my wife that I have only 11 triathlons left this year. She gave me the look but how are we already almost done already?! And if this is a safe place for me to vent, WHY DID THEY CANCEL THE KEY WEST TRI IN DECEMBER?! So bummed. Such a great little tradition I had going there too. And also, no Sun Devil Classic this November? AND no Havana triathlon next February? Bad enough the season is almost over, but no I'm scrambling to fill up the post Spain calendar. I know, boo hoo. But c'mon everybody!

But I still do have 8 more races before we head to Malaga for the World Championships. Frankly, last year was so MUCH stress, Covid/illness while there, logistics that it was a big turnoff. This year I promised my wife it would be low key. I wanted to do Australia in 2025 but it was a big no way and I had to agree actually. Just burnt out on these high stress events. Maybe I'll give it a few years off on them and travel other cool places (like there is a triathlon in Chile in December? Maybe next year!

I think I have some replacement races that should be pretty great lined up and if I were being honest, I can only do the same thing every year for so long before I need to mix it up and miss it a little bit (I'm going to enjoy the hell out of 2025 Key West!)

In the meantime, it's been a great season so far. I learned that if I train more, I do better. I think I'm on to something. While my absolute score is well below what it was last year (because I'm frankly not doing high profile races that draw other folks with high scores), my year over year times and scores have been going up. It's a real validation to the training changes I have made. 

AND, I've also purchased a NEW BIKE! I've been looking at this exact bike and color for about 2.5 years now. It is stuck in Germany right now but I should have it by the end of the season. AND I hit the go button on some brand new hookless Zipp 858 NSW's. I may even get the new disc this winter. I'm beyond excited (and frankly terrified to see if i see any measurable improvement). 

I am currently in a commanding (and frankly untouchable) position in the NCTS and SCTS standings for my age group (for Advanced and AG fwiw). I've also secured a USAT score that should all but guarantee an All American spot. I'm in my usual 1st place in the state position for this time of year (before the fast guys do their fall races). Should be top 3, hoping for #2 again but we'll see. I have 6 podiums so far this year which equals my full year total in 2022 and leaves me 2 away from my PR last season. I'm not sure I have "fixed" my podium problem but fwiw, I have 1 first, 4 seconds, 1 third so far. So it doesn't feel as bad as I finished last season. 

My official goals are killing it though:

1. Travel as much as possible. CHECK and more CHECK to come.

2. Win NCTS for AG: seems a done deal

3. Win SCTS for AG: seems a done deal (btw, I doubt I do this again next year. SO far from where I live, closer options, etc). 

4. Get All American Status: Seems like a shoe-in but we'll see

5. Qualify for 2025: Well, didn't go to Omaha because Australia didn't seem like a fun trip, more of a chore.

6. Stretch:  Top in AG in NC: Enjoy it while it lasts ;)